introduction about ict
You see the letters ICT everywhere - particularly in
education. But what does it mean? Read our brief introduction to this important
and fast-changing subject.
ICT is an acronym that stands for Information
Communications Tecnology
However, apart from explaining an acronym, there is not a
universally accepted defininition of ICT? Why? Because the concepts, methods
and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving on an almost daily
basis. Its difficult to keep up with the changes - they happen so fast.
Lets focus on the three words behind ICT:
- INFORMATION
- COMMUNICATIONS
- TECHNOLOGY
- COMMUNICATIONS
- TECHNOLOGY
A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of
digital technology that already exist to help individuals, businesses and
organisations use information.
ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve,
manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For
example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots.
So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt
of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different
uses can work with each other.
In business, ICT is often categorised into two broad types
of product: -
(1) The traditional computer-based technologies (things
you can typically do on a personal computer or using computers at home or at work);
and
(2) The more recent, and fast-growing range of digital
communication technologies (which allow people and organisations to
communicate and share information digitally)
Let's take a brief look at these two categories to
demonstrate the kinds of products and ideas that are covered by ICT:
Traditional Computer Based Technologies
These types of ICT include:
|
Application
|
Use
|
|
Standard Office Applications - Main Examples
|
|
|
Word processing
|
E.g. Microsoft Word: Write letters, reports etc
|
|
Spreadsheets
|
E.g. Microsoft Excel; Analyse financial information;
calculations; create forecasting models etc
|
|
Database software
|
E.g. Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Access; Managing data
in many forms, from basic lists (e.g. customer contacts through to complex
material (e.g. catalogue)
|
|
Presentation software
|
E.g. Microsoft PowerPoint; make presentations, either
directly using a computer screen or data projector. Publish in digital format
via email or over the Internet
|
|
Desktop publishing
|
E.g. Adobe Indesign, Quark Express, Microsoft Publisher;
produce newsletters, magazines and other complex documents.
|
|
Graphics software
|
E.g Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; Macromedia Freehand
and Fireworks; create and edit images such as logos, drawings or pictures for
use in DTP, web sites or other publications
|
|
Specialist Applications - Examples (there are many!)
|
|
|
Accounting package
|
E.g. Sage, Oracle; Manage an organisation's accounts
including revenues/sales, purchases, bank accounts etc. A wide range of
systems is available ranging from basic packages suitable for small
businesses through to sophisticated ones aimed at multinational companies.
|
|
Computer Aided Design
|
Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computers to
assist the design process. Specialised CAD programs exist for many types of
design: architectural, engineering, electronics, roadways
|
|
Customer Relations Management (CRM)
|
Software that allows businesses to better understand their
customers by collecting and analysing data on them such as their product
preferences, buying habits etc. Often linked to software applications that
run call centres and loyalty cards for example.
|
Traditional Computer Based Technologies
The C part of ICT refers to the communication of
data by electronic means, usually over some distance. This is often achieved
via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and
satellite links.
The technologies involved in communication tend to be
complex. You certainly don't need to understand them for your ICT course.
However, there are aspects of digital communications that you needs to be aware
of. These relate primarily to the types of network and the
ways of connecting to the Internet. Let's look at these two briefly (further
revision notes provide much more detail to support your study).
Internal networks
Usually referred to as a local area network (LAN),
this involves linking a number of hardware items (input and output devices plus
computer processing) together within an office or building.
The aim of a LAN is to be able to share hardware facilities
such as printers or scanners, software applications and data. This type of
network is invaluable in the office environment where colleagues need to have
access to common data or programmes.
External networks
Often you need to communicate with someone outside your
internal network, in this case you will need to be part of a Wide Area
Network (WAN). The Internet is the ultimate WAN - it is a vast network of
networks.
ICT in a Broader Context
ICT in a Broader Context
Your ICT course will almost certainly cover the above
examples of ICT in action, perhaps focusing on the use of key applications such
as spreadsheets, databases, presentation, graphics and web design software.
It will also consider the following important topics that
deal with the way ICT is used and managed in an organisation:
- The nature of information (the "I"
in ICT); this covers topics such as the meaning and value of information; how
information is controlled; the limitations of ICT; legal considerations
- Management of information - this covers how
data is captured, verified and stored for effective use; the manipulation,
processing and distribution of information; keeping information secure;
designing networks to share information
- Information systems strategy - this considers
how ICT can be used within a business or organisation as part of achieving
goals and objectives
As you can see, ICT is a broad and fast-changing subject. We
hope our free study materials (revision notes, quizzes, presentations etc) will
help you master IT!
